Chapter 261 Past joys, like a dream; you scoundrel, you betrayed my true heart.

The stars are high in the sky, but dark clouds obscure the moon.

The extraordinary horse, Haoxue, galloped along the road, its mane flying and its body flowing smoothly. Yihe Manor was extremely wealthy, and Wen Caishang kept seven extraordinary horses: Baiyun, Haoxue, Zhufeng, Qianyue... Each possessed unique abilities, and all were gentlemen among horses.

A cold wind ruffled her hair, and her willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed and relaxed intermittently.

They arrived in Huangshan Town late at night. The city gates were deserted and the shops on the streets were closed. The few pedestrians were all martial arts practitioners.

The political situation was chaotic at the time. Curfews were imposed in many places, but wandering figures, fearing the scorching sun, sometimes chose to travel at night, which conflicted with the curfews.

A single set of rules is difficult to apply in its entirety.

Wen Caishang dismounted, gently stroking her fair neck and temples, her sweat exuding a fragrance. She moved with astonishing speed over dozens of miles. The moonlight shone down, making the horse's body appear as if bathed in shadow.

As soon as Fang entered the city, the passersby in the streets kept staring at him. Only after the beautiful woman and her fragrant horse had gone far away did they come to their senses.

Wen Caishang strolled slowly through the city streets, glancing around. Not seeing Li Xian, she thought:

"What surprise is Li Xian preparing that has kept him away for so long? With his intelligence and strategy, he should be able to resolve even the most dangerous and dangerous situations. He should be safe and sound. But if... if anyone really hurts him, hmph, I'll make them pay."

Her beautiful eyes held a murderous glint as she walked into the street.

Her clothes fluttered, her steps were graceful. She wore a white skirt and silk shoes, her hair still styled in a neat bun. After walking through several streets, she suddenly saw the inn where she had stayed the previous night. Remembering the tender moments and the enchanting atmosphere of the inn, her pretty face flushed. She thought to herself, "Could it be that Little Fairy has returned here? I'll go in and ask."

Yellow lanterns hung from the inn, and candlelight shone through the paper windows.

The innkeeper's assistant, who was on night duty, was dozing off while fishing. Suddenly, he caught a whiff of fragrance and heard a voice: "Innkeeper, has my husband been here?"

His voice was clear and melodious, containing hidden inner energy that stimulated his spirit.

The waiter immediately sobered up, lamenting the fleeting nature of his sweet dream. Last night, while entertaining Wen Caishang and Li Xian, he had repeatedly called them a divine couple, expressing his envy. He had been gazing at them for a long time, lost in endless daydreams, until he dreamt of them. When he opened his eyes, he saw the fairy before him again.

He said, "Your husband... ah, is that young man?"

Wen Caishang picked up a silver coin with her delicate hand and tossed it over, saying softly, "Not bad."

The waiter said, "He came, he came, and he rented the room last night."

Wen Caishang exclaimed with delight, "It really is here!" Her eyebrows relaxed, and she looked radiant with joy, which captivated the waiter.

After watching her leave, the waiter gently sniffed the silver. Fearing discovery, he carefully wrapped it up, unsure where to put it. He worried that carrying it would spoil the delicate fragrance, yet also feared it might be stolen.

Wen Caishang lifted her skirt and went upstairs, remembering the bedroom from last night. Upon reaching the door, she saw footprints on the ground, undoubtedly belonging to Li Lang. But when she pushed open the door, the room was empty; how could someone have been there?

She had initially guessed that Li Xian had rented the room to stay in the town for a few days, preparing a "surprise" for her. He was already busy with that, so he wasn't in the bedroom. Full of anticipation, she felt that Li Xian was very thoughtful, full of strange ideas, and brimming with mischief. But then she thought she should leave, pretending not to know anything, so as not to disappoint Li Lang's scheme.

But then he noticed a letter pressed against the corner of the table. He was startled, realizing it was left by Li Xian. Sensing something was wrong, he quickly picked it up.

Unpack the envelope and read the contents. Although Li Xian's calligraphy is at a beginner level, it possesses a strong spirit and a resolute, pure character. His writing reflects his personality—naturally bold and open-minded, with elegant and flowing strokes. However, while there has been progress in several transitions, there is still a slight deficiency.

Although the brushwork is simple, it is extremely beautiful.

When Wen Caishang saw the words "To Madam Wen," her heart skipped a beat. She thought, "We're such good friends, why would we need to communicate via letter?" She looked down and read the brief words, which struck her heart like a blow.

Upon reading the four characters "恩情两清" (the debts of gratitude and affection are settled), he trembled and became completely oblivious to his surroundings.

I can't believe it!

She pressed the envelope down, closed her eyes, and paused for a moment. Trembling, she reread the letter's contents.

This time there are no mistakes; the content is concise and the tone is resolute.

Her eyes welled up with tears, and her eyes reddened. "The debt of gratitude is settled... the debt of gratitude is settled... Li Lang... what a Li Lang! So... you were always... always thinking about the debt of gratitude, and you wanted to leave me from the very beginning!"

"What I hate most is being lied to, yet you've lied to me so many times. You said you'd gouge out my eyes for me, but secretly you were planning to run away. You...you really can't be trusted at all, you never tell the truth, I...my lifelong reputation, yet you always manage to deceive me!"

"I, Wen Caishang, have treated you with such sincerity. When have I ever loved anyone else so much? I've only ever treated you this way, yet you...you...you're so ungrateful! Fine, fine! Since you're so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless. You say we're even, but when have I, Wen Caishang, ever been polite to strangers? Just because we're even doesn't mean I'll let you go! Dream on!"

With a flick of her sleeve, she released a small amount of her inner energy after her injuries healed. This energy surged forth, chilling her to the bone. Frost filled the walls of the room, and the wooden bed, wooden table, and windows all cracked and shattered.

Her momentum waned, and the icy chill melted away. These joyful experiences of the past few days were unforgettable for her, and many memories flooded her mind.

She was completely bewildered; the more she tried to figure out her feelings, the more confused she became.

Half a day apart, and the longing is already like a knife. In the future, with no one to share joy with, no one to express affection, how unbearable will the long years be?

She hated Li Xian for running away on his own, yet she also loved him dearly.

"You little rascal. You think you can get away with this?"

Wen Caishang's eyes were cold and piercing. She circulated her qi and regulated her breathing, gradually regaining her composure. She carefully folded the letter and meticulously hid it in her sleeve, thinking to herself, "Hmph!"

"Once I bring you back, I will naturally let you explain the meaning of the letter properly."

Her eyes softened, and she said, "Li Lang, if you sincerely admit your mistake, I... I won't blame you."

Recalling the tender moments of the past, truly the most joyful times of my life. My heart is overflowing with emotion, which has already spilled over onto Li Xian. But when I think of the words "even if we're even" in the letter, resentment, anger, and helplessness fill my heart.

A torrent of emotions surged within her. She took a few steps, her legs felt slightly weak, her face and lips were deathly pale, she felt utterly disoriented, her thoughts were a jumbled mess.

The waiter saw her come downstairs and tried his best to get a better look at her. He noticed that she looked lost and dazed, even a bit dejected.

She fled with Li Xian along the way, knowing that Li Xian was clever and full of cunning schemes. She mounted her horse and searched the surrounding mountains and fields.

There was not a trace of it.

Knowing she was still recovering from her injuries and unlikely to be found, she said, "Li Lang, oh Li Lang, you are truly wise; it was your wisdom that saved me before..."

Her face was as gentle as honey. Suddenly, a cold glint appeared. "So, now you're using your cleverness to avoid me!"

She sneered, "Do you think you can escape? Hmph, just you wait and see."

He used to be delighted by this cleverness, but now he was furious at its intelligence. He spurred his horse eastward, eager to return to the village.

Considering it carefully:

"This scoundrel is too cunning. Searching like this is useless. I need to recover 40% of my strength as soon as possible. With the Silkworm Jade Technique, I should be able to find him."

Wen Caishang returned to the manor with great anxiety; the sky was already beginning to lighten. A gong sounded in the outer courtyard as the guards began their morning drills around the manor.

Suddenly, an urgent order was issued to summon them.

In the spacious, flat courtyard, Wen Caishang, her face as cold as ice, spoke softly:

“Li Xian betrayed the manor, his crime is heinous, and everyone is going to find him.”

Ding Hu's heart skipped a beat, filled with endless sighs and lamentations: "I watched him rise to prominence, and I watched his building crumble. Li Xian dared to betray the manor, truly... truly audacious! Li Xian is indeed a rare talent, but unfortunately, he was short-sighted and ultimately ruined himself. Everything he had was given to him by the Madam. Now that the Madam has decided to take it back, it's all gone."

He hurriedly said, "Madam, this thief is highly valued and has been nurtured by the manor. Now he has forgotten his roots and dared to betray the manor. As the commander, Ding Hu has a duty to capture this thief!"

Wen Caishang frowned, drew her sword from her sleeve, and sliced ​​off Ding Hu's upper lip, drawing blood. She said coldly, "Li Xian is naturally ungrateful, but it's none of your business to comment. You just need to do your job, find clues about him, and capture him."

"You must not scold him without my permission."

Ding Hu's face was covered in blood, his eyes closed, and his head hung low. He wondered why the lady was protecting Li Xian, who had betrayed the manor. Could there be another reason?

Wen Caishang sighed inwardly:

“How could you possibly capture someone like Li Xian? It’s just that I can’t take action myself right now, so I need your help. It’s better than nothing. Besides, that scoundrel Li Xian is best at doing things the opposite of what he wants. He might be hiding nearby. Casting a wide net might be surprisingly useful.”

Wen Caishang immediately made arrangements:

“Each of you take a hundred taels of silver and use your connections and relationships to spread your net wider. Ding Hu, take a thousand taels of silver and go to the Qingning County government office to communicate with the magistrate for assistance.”

"Whoever provides clues will be richly rewarded. Whoever captures him alive will be even richer. Hundreds of acres of fertile land, buildings and shops, thousands of taels of gold, top-notch martial arts, exquisite recipes, rare treasures... I will not be stingy with them."

Suddenly, he thought that if Li Xian were surrounded and attacked, covered in wounds and blood, he would be pitiful. His heart softened, and he said, "But we must capture him alive, and... we must not injure him too badly."

...

The guards, unaware of the reason, all silently mourned for Li Xian: "The madam hates Li Xian to the extreme. If she wants to capture him alive, she will surely subject him to cruel torture as a warning to others."

They responded with resounding shouts.

Wen Caishang waved her hand and said, "Go yourselves!"

A moment later, Uncle Xiang rushed over and asked, "Madam, why are you making such a fuss? There's so much money being scattered."

Wen Caishang prepared the medicine, examined her own pulse, and said calmly, "I have my own plans."

“Uncle Xiang, this boy is cunning. I need to heal my injuries for now. You should go and find him.”

Uncle Xiang said, "Madam, this is going to affect the whole body; it's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut..." Wen Caishang said coldly, "Go away."

Uncle Xiang said, "Alright!" and then left the village.

...

...

Li Xian fled overnight, knowing that Wen Caishang would be either angry or furious and would definitely send her guards to pursue him.

"I have many enemies in this poor land. I haven't had a moment of peace, and now I'm being chased again. I might as well do the opposite and escape along a route I know best."

The dragon-viewing banquet has concluded.

He fled from Huashui Prefecture, passing through Tiger Cry Ridge and the Mysterious Mountain Range. His journey took him through a maze of water and flowers, eventually reaching Chongling Prefecture and finally returning to Qiongtian Prefecture. He moved between these prefectures for several months. The choice of routes, the dealings with adversaries, and the arrangements for his daily life were all decided by Li Xian alone, map in hand. Wen Caishang massaged his shoulders and legs, and served him food and drink, but rarely paid attention to the journey itself.

He had an excellent memory and remembered the escape route perfectly. Therefore, he was even more familiar with the route connecting Huashui Prefecture and Chongling Prefecture.

They fled south and north, and north and south.

Li Xian lamented, "Life is unpredictable. I am like a piece of duckweed, drifting wherever the wind blows me, unable to control my own destiny."

They traveled through the night, carrying only a few simple bags, traveling light. For the latter half of their escape with Wen Caishang, they indulged in pleasure and had plenty of money, as if on a leisurely trip. He was always extravagant, spending money like water. Now, touching his pockets, he found only a few loose coins left.

"Spending other people's money is audacious. But spending my own money requires careful planning. Although beating up a spoiled brat might bring some money, it's also more likely to invite trouble. If Madam Wen were to personally intervene, knowing my habits, I would be in grave danger."

"If she really catches up with me, she'll probably kill me as soon as possible. At the very least, she'll cut off my arms and legs. Sigh, I knew this when I risked my life to save her. So what? I just want to leave this world with a clear conscience, head held high and chest out."

Li Xian spent the night in the wilderness, finding a patch of pebbles. With a sweep of his hand, he sent the pebbles flying, then laid out soft grass to make a bed. Lying there, the forest breeze carried the fragrance of grass and trees, and the faint mist and dampness... it was quite pleasant.

Li Xian untied the water bag. He recalled their desperate escape, during which they shared the water bag in the most perilous moments, drinking directly from each other's lips without a second thought. Now, however, they were bitter enemies.

He could only drink alone under the moon.

Sleeping under the stars and moon, I always feel an emptiness in my heart, and I feel a little uncomfortable.

“Strength… I am ultimately too weak. If I were stronger than Madam, how could I allow her to be so arrogant? Hmph, I would slap her on the butt and subdue her.”

Li Xian found this matter quite interesting. His sadness lessened, and his desire to pursue martial arts grew stronger.

He had lofty aspirations and disliked being constrained. Although he lamented his life as a drifting duckweed, he was broad-minded and, when the wind blew, he did not feel inferior, self-pitying, or saddened. Instead, he appreciated the vastness of the sky and the boundless wonder and beauty of the world.

"When I achieve mastery of martial arts one day, I will surely sweep away all the grievances in my heart. But no matter how important the matter, nothing is worse than a good dream tonight. I'm going to sleep now!"

Bend your arms behind your head and breathe slowly.

The next day.

Li Xian climbed the mountain and traveled for more than ten miles until he came to a main road. He followed the main road and entered a town.

He didn't know where he had gone, but he knew he was out of money. He only had a few taels of gold left.

He rushed to the money shop and exchanged gold for silver. The several dozen taels of silver were heavy, and he tucked them into his breast pocket. With his breast pocket bulging, he felt quite at ease.

Li Xian pondered: "I have left Yihe Manor, settled all debts, and regained my freedom. But I have all the martial prowess I need, and no property or business of my own, so I must conserve all my resources."

"In this world... money is hard to earn!"

My stomach was growling. I spotted a teahouse nearby, but since it was still early, there were very few customers. So I sat in a secluded corner and ordered a bowl of hot congee and some fried crispy vegetables.

Taking advantage of the time it takes to serve the food, I sort out everything I have on me:

Thirty-four taels of silver, poison powder, darts, jade pendant, sachet, silver hairpin, jade dagger, sunken sword, Thunder Finger martial arts, Flower Cage Gate token, Crane Pill, brush, ink stick, water pouch, Azure Water Pearl, Iron Copper Body martial arts, seven scrolls, nine calligraphy copybooks...

He had been poor since childhood, and he cherished everything he acquired. Several times he wanted to unload his belongings and travel light. But after much thought, he couldn't bear to part with anything.

He was dashing and handsome as he traveled. His clothes were bulging with miscellaneous items.

Despite fleeing thousands of miles, some gains were made.

There were actually a few more treasures.

Li Xian originally possessed the "Yellow Path Bow," making him extremely powerful. However, the mountains surrounding the tomb were too treacherous. When Wen Caishang was besieged, Li Xian disguised himself as a disciple of the Wuji Blade Sect. To be on the safe side, fearing that carrying the Yellow Path Bow would reveal his identity, he found a secluded place and buried the bow.

The jade pendant, sachet, and silver hairpin were all made by Wen Caishang. In the midst of the wind and rain, the two of them had taken them with them in a daze. Li Xian thought to himself, "Let's keep these things as souvenirs. Let's keep them for now."

I searched around. Luckily, I hadn't brought out any stockings or undergarments.

Li Xian spread out the calligraphy and paintings.

The calligraphy samples are crooked and uneven... all written by Wen Caishang. At the bottom left of each sample is a signature, indicating the year, month, place, and author.

Wen Caishang was extremely unwilling, as this matter was extremely embarrassing. She thought that if it were to leak out later, she would lose all face. Li Xian, full of malice, insisted on forcing her. With a firm attitude, Wen Caishang resisted for a moment, but eventually gave in and had no choice but to obediently give her name.

Nine calligraphy scrolls, seven paintings… all renowned. Li Xian coughed lightly twice, carefully folded the painting scrolls, and hid them under his clothes.

"I possess two martial arts manuals: Gang Lei Finger and Iron Copper Body... These two were purchased when I was at the height of my power, earning a fortune every day."

"I have mastered the art to its peak. If I am really short of money, I can sell my possessions to earn some. If I spend my thirty-odd taels sparingly, it will last me a long time."

The waiter brought over some congee and side dishes. Steaming hot, refreshing and not greasy at all. Li Xian ate the congee clean with the crispy side dishes.

He placed down a few copper coins.

The streets were already bustling. Knowing his appearance was conspicuous, Li Xian wanted to avoid the crowded areas of town. He saw a roadside vendor selling dried biscuits, coarse grains, and cured meat.

Li Xian asked, "Shopkeeper, how much?"

The vendor said, "Three coins for stuffed ones, two coins for unstuffed ones."

Throughout history, the land of abundance was impoverished and sparsely populated. The dry cakes were made from coarse millet, a type of rice that was difficult to swallow. Ordinary people would never have eaten them unless they were on a long and arduous journey.

Li Xian said, "Give me thirty slices with filling and thirty slices without filling." After hesitating for a moment, she added, "And a sausage."

The vendor was startled, then smiled and said, "Sir, you want to go through the mountains?" He counted out thirty dried cakes and pressed them down with a wooden board.

The bread was tightly wrapped in coarse cloth. Li Xian paid and settled the bill, then carried the dry bread on his back and weighed it lightly in his hand. It was quite substantial.

To the east of this city lies a large mountain. Li Xian traveled through the mountains, evading pursuers. Anticipating few days without seeing any human presence, he bought food in advance.

With the hassle of hunting gone, I can focus more on martial arts training during this time.

"I have long held the knowledge of Senior Lü's Five Viscera Clearing Turbidity and Meeting Yang Meridian in my mind, but I have never studied it before. Now it is time for me to practice it."

Li Xian already has a direction.

Only by honing one's martial arts skills and improving oneself can one find a broad path in life. Along the way, one can visit some bookstores and spend some extra money to purchase calligraphy, paintings, and writing implements.

Once you leave the town, you enter a range of rolling mountains.

Li Xian filled his water pouch, took a bite of dry bread, and a sip of water. He was quite carefree and at ease.

...

...

On the other hand...

Wen Caishang combined good medicine with the "Eating Qi Gu" to disrupt its five elements and reverse its yin and yang, thus drastically reducing the speed at which it transforms into qi.

He then successively took "Red Treasure Ancestral Ginseng" and "Praying Heaven Pure Water"... to accelerate the healing process. These many precious and rare medicines are extremely difficult to find.

Her injuries had been stagnant for some time, but her condition was stable. With slow and careful treatment, she would recover within ten days. There was no need to use these precious treasures and rare medicines. However, she was unable to calm herself and knew that Li Xian was cunning; the longer she delayed, the harder it would be to capture him.

Therefore, when preparing and combining medicines, heavy and rare herbs are always used. "Red Treasure Ancestral Ginseng" is a powerful medicine for healing injuries, with an unusually strong effect that can distract people from their thoughts.

She couldn't help but think of the events on the cruise ship. Even when she was enjoying herself with Li Xian, she was worried that he would leave her. Little did she know that her worries would come true, and Li Xian would indeed escape.

“Men under the heavens are never truly steadfast, and should not be indulged. Li Xian… Li Lang… if I catch you, don’t blame me for punishing you severely. If I don’t punish you, my heart aches so much, and who should I seek revenge on?”

Her figure moved gracefully into Yunxiang Pavilion. She selected more precious medicines and began brewing them in a separate pot. Suddenly, a voice rang out: "You wretched woman, where's that boy beside you?"

The black jujube, with its supple body, slipped out from the gaps in the cabinet. It repeatedly managed to escape, demonstrating its incredible skill.

Wen Caishang ignored it. She strolled around, looked at the surroundings, and took out the medicine. This Yunxiang Pavilion held countless treasures, which she had not collected alone.

The Black Grand Duke grumbled, "You stinking woman, where's that boy beside you? Did my blessing work? Oh... I see your brow is furrowed, heartbroken. Hahaha, you lewd woman, truly..."

It spouted nonsense, completely illogical. Wen Caishang rarely paid it any attention. But today, she was inexplicably enraged and with a single sword stroke, she lifted the Black Tai Sui up.

The sword light was dense, hundreds and thousands of swords flashing in an instant. The sword shadows went from flashing rapidly, with frequent bursts of light, to disappearing completely. But the Black Tai Sui was pulverized into chunks of flesh, then into dust, and finally the dust became so fine that it was almost invisible, almost dissolving into the world.

The Black Tai Sui cried out, "It hurts! It hurts! Ah, it hurts so much! Stop, don't chop anymore, ouch... it hurts so much!"

When it was split in two, the sound became two streams; when it was split into four, the sound became four streams... Later, countless shouts annoyed Wen Caishang.

Sheathed her sword and said calmly, "If you keep talking nonsense, do you think I can't deal with you?"

Black Tai Sui powder was everywhere, and they all said in unison, "Crazy woman... Ouch, ouch, it hurts so much! I've followed you, Great Yu, for over a thousand years, and you... you fucking chopped me like this! Ouch, you fucking killed me! Someone, someone, come quick, take this crazy woman away, I can't stand it anymore."

Wen Caishang ignored her. She took the medicinal herbs, turned around, and left. Seeing that wailing was useless and having made a fool of herself, Hei Taisui touched and merged with her, becoming one again.

He honestly crawled back to the medicine cabinet, huddled inside, and muttered, "That sullen woman is ignoring me. By the way, did that kid take it? Did he listen to my slander and actually go after that crazy woman, only to be killed by a sword? Alas, what a pity, what a pity. Such a handsome man, what a twist of fate."

...

...

Wen Caishang was preparing the medicinal herbs, but it would take some time for the soup to be ready. Her strength had recovered to about 20%. Suddenly, she thought, "I remember that scoundrel has some friends in Qingning County. Could he have some clues?"

He then went to Qingning County and found Wuwei Hall.

Luo Xia was seen training the constables. Zhang Hou and Wang Wu served as his right and left hands, and after several months of suppressing bandits and killing criminals, they had developed an impressive fighting spirit.

Upon seeing Wen Caishang's arrival, everyone's expression changed, and they all stopped what they were doing, cupping their hands and saying, "Madam!"

Wen Caishang nodded slightly, stepped over the threshold, her beautiful eyes scanning the crowd, and said softly, "Little Fairy, have you been here recently?"

Luo Xia felt a prickling sensation on her back. Having already heard rumors, she truthfully replied, "We've never been here before, Madam... We... We didn't know him, yet... he dared to betray you. It's truly... truly unexpected."

Wen Caishang walked slowly, leaving a fragrant breeze behind. She thought to herself, "Li Lang is loyal and kind-hearted, and he doesn't even want to get involved with ordinary clay figures for no reason. It seems that they really don't know the clues."

"Hmph! Now that you're here, and you're Li Xian's sworn brothers, don't blame me for taking my anger out on you!"

She said softly, "Come with me." No one dared to disobey, and they all followed slowly behind her.

Wen Caishang sat down in the main seat and said, "Li Xian betrayed my Yihe Manor and stole my secret treasure. You all say you don't know his whereabouts, but I don't believe it."

Luo Xia was covered in sweat: "Madam, what are you going to do? None of us are a match for you. Please just decide what to do with us."

Wen Caishang frowned and said, "Miss Luo, from what you're saying, do you consider me to be an unreasonable person who uses their power to bully others?"

Luo Xia said, "Of course...of course not." But in her heart she thought, "If you are not, then no one is."

Wen Caishang said, "I suspect that Li Xian is hiding in your home. Please prove your innocence."

Luo Xia understood: "This woman is here to pick a fight and vent her anger. Li Xian, Li Xian, what earth-shattering thing have you done to make the dignified Lady Zhejian so angry with you?"

Luo Xia knew that no matter what she said, Wen Caishang would find a pretext to punish them, even to the point of taking their lives. But she still dealt with it cautiously: "It's very simple. Please have Madam send people to search them one by one."

Wen Caishang said, "Hmph! Since you dare to say such things, you must have hidden somewhere else."

(End of this chapter)